Detroit auto makers try some new tricks

"U.S. auto makers are building higher-quality cars, but they can't get
buyers to get over the fact that they're American cars...."

Wall Street Journal article: http://301url.com/c8x

 

Because US auto makers waited too long to stop making cars that looked
like furniture or copies of German or Japanese cars.

 

"larry moe 'n curly" ...

I think it's cool. I'd love to drive an American car again, without having
to run it back and forth to the shop. Seriously, I'm willing to give them
another chance.

Natalie

 

I had two 05 Hondas: A civic hybrid and an Element. While both were
decent cars, their mileage left a lot to be desired; nowhere near what
was advertised. Because of that, I traded them both in a bought two
new Chevy Malibu SS's , a Maxx and the sedan. As far as I'm
concerned, at least to this point, they are the best running, most
comfortable cars I've ever owned...no more Japanese cars here.

 

I don't have the resources to take that gamble and maybe lose. Many
times burned I just cannot take the risk even though the potential of
the Chevy Volt did tempt me.

 

I did that in 1992 and won't do it again. My car wasn't that bad,
but Ford's attitude toward defects was very different from Toyota's or
Nissan's, and they actually told me that lumpy body filler above the
front doors wasn't really a defect because every car of that model was
like that.

 

lol .. maybe they should replace the suv commercials with new commercials
about how they are making their products better and stronger... that would
be a start...

 

Enjoy that Malibu when its in the shop. I hate the feel of shop chairs. Hard
plastic and that little 12 inch TV in the waiting room.

BTW, you were concerned about fuel, so you went and bought a car that gets
18 mpg in the city?

 

I had two 05 Hondas: A civic hybrid and an Element. While both were
decent cars, their mileage left a lot to be desired; nowhere near what
was advertised. Because of that, I traded them both in a bought two
new Chevy Malibu SS's , a Maxx and the sedan. As far as I'm
concerned, at least to this point, they are the best running, most
comfortable cars I've ever owned...no more Japanese cars here.

What mpgs do the Malibus get?

Cathy

 

"Cathy F." ...

Yeah, that doesn't sound very economical. But maybe he's talking about the
way the car feels/drives.

Natalie

 

"Jim Higgins" ...

I'm watching the Ford Fusion. I think it has potential.

Natalie

 

"larry moe 'n curly" ...

I did that in 1992 and won't do it again. My car wasn't that bad,
but Ford's attitude toward defects was very different from Toyota's or
Nissan's, and they actually told me that lumpy body filler above the
front doors wasn't really a defect because every car of that model was
like that.

LMC

So you think they're irredeemable? I don't. I think they may have learned
to put the customer's needs first. At least I hope they do. Why would they
try the same shit that ruined them? That doesn't even make good business
sense.

Natalie

 

That occurred to me, too. But, if he traded in the Element & Civic hybrid
because they didn't get the advertised mpg, then... ??? - the logic gets
lost, considering they must get better mileage than the Malibus. Plus, I'm
guessing the Maxx costs more than either of the Hondas. In which case a part
of the picture - which may've been a revised one - wasn't expressly stated
in the post.

Cathy

 

I'm on the fence. They *must've* seen which way the wind was blowing in the
early-mid-70's, yet completely ignored it. I jumped ship, along with lots
of others.

Cathy

 

You've answered your own question. They got to the place they are now by
pulling the same shit. They are being ruined by it. If they weren't
pulling the same shit all along they would not be in dire straights now.
Good business sense? It would be great if they had any at all.

They will not change until they are out of business. Buy that Fusion.
Trust me, its just another iteration of the SOS.

 

Why is it that every defect that ever occurs in an American car is
remembered forever no matter how minor. But Toyota sells entire lines
of cars with engines that sludge up and burn up and no one gives a
rats ass.

 

That may be because when the American car companies have a problem they do
nothing about it, such as the leaking GM intake gaskets. When Toyota has a
problem they take care of it by extending the warranty or issuing a recall.

 

I own an american car. a '99 Grand Marquis LS.

Bought it used last year (82 thousand KM on it)

Now at 102 thousand KM, cost me a Coil On Plug and the corresponding
sparkplug. I also had to have 2 bolts replaced on the passenger side
flange (cat to y-pipe)

Now, I'll have to do the same to the driver's side (another 30$)

Prestone needs to be flushed, I'll be putting a bigger battery (has a
850AMP, I'll put in a bigger one and a beefier alternator for the sound
system), and some winter tires, (didn't like my all-wheater
Bridgestone's behavior last winter

that's about it...

2 Honda Civics destroyed themselves rear-ending me, I'll need to replace
the rear plastic bumper cover (badly scratched and broke where it screws
on the frame)

So much for Styrofoam Japanese bumpers

Oh, and I'll have to replace the car's lighter socket, it
short-circuited hitself to death last year...

 

I don't have the resources to take that gamble and maybe lose.[/QUOTE]

And that's what it comes down to, doesn't it? You'd think the union
fucks who built those cars would understand that concept, at least.
Maybe if they struck for "you need to design better cars so we'll have
jobs in the long term" instead of "just give us more money so we can do
nothing and go home with a paycheck", things would be different.

Risk $25K? With Detroit's track record? Yeah, right.

My father did. Back in 1995, after 15 years of cars from Japan Inc.
That 1995 Olds 88 was a piece of crap. He replaced it with a 98 Odyssey
from Honda, a car he has to this day. Beyond scheduled maintenance and
a new starter he got last week, it's been as dead reliable as--well, as
a Honda.

Dear Detroit: **** off and die. Oh, and you union fucks who did this
to yourselves: go cry in your beer, if you can find someone to buy you
one. And then go **** off and die.

 

There's no logic to get lost. He forgot to mention that the Malibus
didn't get their advertised mileage, either. In fact, it's a poorly
kept secret that the window stickers up through 2007 model year were for
comparison to other window stickers, and were not very meaningful
indicators of what kind of mileage you'd actually get driving the car in
the real world.

So, not sure where he's coming from. Maybe he thinks that someone will
actually believe him and his story. Well, maybe idiots who spend $25K
on Detroit iron after being fucked over repeatedly by Detroit. Yeah,
those people would be stupid enough to believe him.